It seems that the author of the Mormon Bible continued misconceptions from the English bibles which stem from mistranslations of earlier books.
does this mean that the whole sect is built on a lie, that it was written by infallible agents of God?
What could explain these mistakes?

Id like to know more about Mormon doctrine and idea of metaphysics, how is their universe structured, what is the hierarchy?
What do they say about evil? what is evil, an equal and opposite force to good?
what is the devil? what is his name? is he another servant doing god's will?
Some from the 'old world' over here say that its just a case of Americans wanting in on the whole religious franchise thing, and that jesus never visited the injuns.
was smith as nutty as E. Cayce or that scientology fella?

Any help would be appreciated.

I had a friend that was a Mormon. Was. When they told him he had to wear special underwear to go to church, he went out and bought a six-pack, came home and told his wife to find a new church or the ywould commence to worshipping at home! I never gave him heck about being a Mormon, but boy did I ever laugh my ass off over that one!

I think Smiths bible is certainly as flawed as any one elses interpretation.

Funny trivia fact about mormonism...

The reason why Smith took his band of merry followers to Utah, was because back in those days, if you could move that far out west, and make it over the mountains... your debts were absolved back east. And boy did Smith have debts...

The general authority B.H. Roberts actually addressed, in the 1930s, the issue of whether Smith could have written the book with what was known about him and with the resources available to him (such as Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews). The answer was a tentative "yes".

Usually, a common claim that I've seen many Mormons make about mistakes in the Book of Mormon (particularly the 1830 original copy), is that while the word of God is infallible, the translater is not. The problem is that this argument makes no sense- Smith, whatever his inspiration, wrote the BoM in 17th century prose that sounds very much like the King James version of the Bible. Never mind that this type of prose was actually disappearing when the KJV was being published in 1615, much less the 1820s.

Archaeological evidence discovered does not support the Book of Mormon, which makes a claim about the existence of primarily three large, sophisticated, and advanced civilizations with certain technologies, religions, and populations which don't match what we know of the region. The best example are probably the Jaredites; a multi-million person empire with a number of inventions like iron-smelting and the like occurring after the "Tower of Babel" (which itself is nonsensical, but for some reason is dated to around 2500 BCE), that doesn't match the historical and archaeological evidence.

As for Mormon metaphysics, it works something like this:

There is the universe, or usually described as "matter and spirit" that IS, meaning that to some extent it always existed and has its own rules. God (in this case one among many) shapes this matter into 'spirit children' (us, or at least our souls before bodies), and the real matter into worlds, etc. The idea is that we get a body, get to live a mortal life, and if we do certain kinds of behavior (like accepting the Mormon doctrine, living a good life, etc), we get a certain kind of afterlife. The highest level of afterlife, the Celestial Kingdom Exaltation, is for married couples who married or were sealed in a Mormon temple, accepted the Doctrine, and lived a good life. They get to become Gods themselves, who then go on to shape new worlds, creating new spirit children, etc.

It's somewhat of a distinct set of metaphysics from the ordinary Christian depiction of God, which is an all-powerful figure that created the world and us ex nihilo (i.e. out of nothing). One could almost claim that the Mormon God is a 'god' rather than "God", although he seems all-powerful and masterful to us. Christ, in this religion, was the "god of this world"; the Jehovah and Yahweh of the Old Testament, and the actual creator of this world, meaning that in Mormon theology, although he is the son of "God the Father", he's also a god in his own right.

The Holy Ghost, or Spirit, in mormon theology, is a bit of an odd case. He's described as a 'god' but with a 'spiritual body' rather than a 'material one' - whatever that means. He's also the voice of conscience, and the like, which half makes me wonder if he's some kind of mormon personification of the spiritual laws that are claimed to govern the world that the Gods shape.

The Devil, or Satan, in Mormon theology, is the same 'tempter' and 'fallen angel' type of guy.

Smith himself was a bit of an odd case. Most accounts of him describe him as handsome, very intelligent, and very charismatic. He was well-versed in religion, coming from a family that while not a members of a congregation, has a strong sense of 'folk christianity'. He was also a bit of a notorious woman-chaser; one of the common charges leveled against him in Nauvoo is that he polygamously married the wives of his closest followers. Not to mention that he is estimated to have had a number of polygamous wives numbering between 20 to upwards of 50, starting with 16-year-old Eliza Winters, which was a source of serious conflict with his first wife.

There was a great south park episode that sumed it up in a 7 min video that I can't seem to find and post youtube has pulled it. It called the history of Morman's and is quite funny and explains it quite well actualy. Damn wish I could find that clip.

wow interesting metaphysics. but what role does evil play in all of this. would satan then be equal to this god of ours, would there be a greater good entity like an umbrella over all the other gods.......come to think of it, this all sounds like spiritual pyramid marketting doesnt it? ever been approached by those nutters? so if i believe and behave i get to play god with my own world...neat. then when they believe and get to be gods i become a god of gods, and when their gods beget gods and so on ad infinitum....we'll all be rich.

its a shame there arent any mormons here to engage with all of this, are they allowed to use computers? i know they wont drink cordial.
is there any defence for the mormon point of view?

Hi Lil Gremlin,

Here's a link that might be helpful: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8035_1.html

That gives the basic outline of what Mormons believe, but there are also message boards, articles and much more regarding mormonism. It's a strange faith in my opinion, but probably not any more strange than a lot of other faiths out there

(and I don't care what anyone says... Scientology is no "faith" or church... but that's a topic for another day)

http://www.carm.org/lds/lds-x-1.htm

http://www.shields-research.org/General/LD...ith/56_Year.htm

Just two of the many, many sites outlining all of the falsehoods still advanced in this religion. My grandmother went to a Mormom church briefly, and a girl I used to work with believed in the whole deal. The basics outlined above by another poster are all correct; the goal is to become a god and have your own universe. This is supposed to be earned by following laws and giving all your money. It appeals to the egocentric, proud self, and tells those that follow it that they can mimic God's authority and claim it for themselves, (I can have my own world and not have to follow any rules but make my own). Joseph Smith was a false prophet; everything he ever said that could be verified turned out to be false. I don't mean subjectively false (like true for some people; a theory that you could make work for you if you believed hard enough, I mean, unquesionalby, undeniably, factually false beyond a doubt.) The plates or papyrus or whatever he worked from and "translated," were all proven by codebreakers to follow a human pattern and were simplistic symbols. This is interesting to me, because my grandmother was sucked into this (briefly). If you want to find out more about the falsehoods of Joseph Smith, you can try googles such as "Joseph Smith archaelogy," "Joseph Smith predictions," "Mormon claims," "Mormon dogma," and so forth.

Both Mormonism and Islam are clearly human inventions because the authors unwittingly included the mainstream Christian, "Lucifer Mythology" which virtually all Biblical scholars now concede is a mistranslation. There is no fallen angel named Lucifer in the Bible, these passages clearly refer to two very real, secular enemies of ancient Israel, the Prince of Tyre, and the King of Babylon.

There is some evidence that I discuss in my book of Jesus visiting Mesoamerica, but this has nothing to do with the book of mormon. Archaeology has proven that there could not have been horse drawn chariot, iron weapons, etc, in ancient America as the Book of Mormon describes.

Interesting texas yet christanity is not false , your bible is infallable eh???... funny how one sees so clear when its someone else....I have dear, dear moron friends many as a NB interesting thing is out of the christtians they are the most tolerant and will help anyone whether you are mormon or not i ought to know, .... .......isn't that a hoot??? they have some kooky ideas but i tell you many live their lives to be helpful to anyone its called perfecting the saints....You do not have to tithe its a choice...

There are people who are of the <<<<<< opinion >>>>>>> that the Bible is false. You are welcome to that opinion. There are things spoken of in the Bible that are a mystery to some. There are things spoken of in the Bible that have been neither proven nor disproven, and people are welcome to form their own opinions about those things.
However, I posted links above to sites that are representative of the faith, and the things that Joseph Smith said have been <<<<<<<<< proven >>>>>>>>> to be factually incorrect. No one has ever proven to me that the Bible is incorrect. They have only proven to me that they have not studied and do not understand it.
The Mormons follow a prophet who told them that people live on the sun, and this is just one example of something that is an incorrect fact.
If you choose to be of the opinion that the Bible is incorrect, that is fine. It is well within your rights to say, "I have a laundry list of reasons that the Bible doesn't make sense to me, and it is my opinion that the whole thing is garbage, and there is also a bunch of other people I can point out who hold the same opinion, " or something to that effect. You are also free to criticize it to your heart's content. But I must point out that that is not the same as having things proven objectively wrong.

Except that Mormons are Christian... it's the Book of Mormon that seems a little odd to most mainline Christians. People have a tendency to get pretty worked up about Mormon's and Jehovah's Witness' because by in large they're somewhat secretive in their rites, and have some pretty unpopular beliefs about who gets salvation and everlasting life and who doesn't--it's quite clear to them that if you're not mormon, you're not worthy (same with JW's). Also, in today's world, many people frown on their traditional treatment of women which is pretty much a subordinate role. On the plus side, mainline Mormons have a very tight community and do support each other in times of need, which is better than some other mainline christian groups manage to do.

and you wouldn't say that a snake talking is in error???? or that moses parted the red sea is conjecture??? how about noah and that ark???? not to mention a imaginary diety in the sky?? the mormon will say the same thing to you my friend that you haven't studied the bible you have taken it our of context , they will tell you smith was spoken to by the angel moroni, divinly inspired just like you say about your bible..... ..why is their 's 'garbage"

That episode was hilarious and it did sum it up very well. The Scientology episode was good too.

I do agree they have some odd ideas, i know alot of mormons they arent' secretive and they are very gracious about embracing diversity, I get alot of help from the mormons I'm a NB and its no secret, i actaully can rap wiht them and be myself... yes the unedrwear thing, the spirit prison, bt its no differrent then christianity in many ways they try harder to emulate jesus then most religions..iMO....and helping each other they have that down no mormon does without or thier friends this I know... .....many tell you the OT and the NT is very hard to take..I can only go by how i have been treated and as I've said mormons are okay in my book also the ones I know do not condone or excuse the Ot or NT god in this they are different.maybe thats the issue...*shrugs*....

Once again, all parts of your reply are opinion. There is no proof that The Red Sea was not parted. Etc... It is your opinion that the "deity in the sky" is imaginary.
It is a fact that there are no people living on the sun.
Are you having a problem discerning fact from opinion?
You can not prove that there is not a Creator with supernatural abilities unlike any you or I have.
It may be your opinion that I am not as intelligent as you because I believe I have experienced Him in a way that some have not yet (but are welcome to anytime; there are no limits to whom the Creator will reveal Himself to when one is ready for it); that is a risk I'm willing to take. You have not had the same experiences I have had; I rather expect the responses you give and am not surprised by them, ever.
You can prove that there are not people living on the sun (and other of Smith's statements that were similarly proven to be incorrect).
I am surprised that so many have such a hard time with something as simple as the difference between fact and opinion.
You are welcome to your opinion and I'm not mad at you for it.

edit: Grrrrr....Spelling again....must.....type......slower

But yours is fact is that correct Texas????? They do not beleive that they can live on the sun, I didn't even bother addressing that ....


I donot need to be connvinced of your truth if it is what works for you ..why are you defending yourself as if I',m attacking you... I am trying to understand how are your "opinions ' are fact yet mine or the mormons are not.... Are you gonna address that or go on about how you know the truth just because ....

Like ANY Christian sect or demonination, there are varying degrees of acceptance of the NT and OT. I know some hardcore Mormons that are VERY difficult to be around, insular and secretive about Temple, but I know some more open, gregarious and loving mormons as well... of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I've known hardcore Protestants and Catholics that are as well that are just annoying. It's human nature--Lord only knows why though, you'd think your goal would be to be as "christ-like" as possible regardless of the "details" that don't really matter in the Bible, if you're a Christian that is. Of course what do I know? My christian sect doesn't practice baptism at all, no icons of any kind (including crosses), no churches, no ministers, no creeds, no sacrements... many mainline Christians would think THAT was pretty weird.

^Of course I did not say that they believe they can live on the sun. That must have been a simple misunderstanding. I said they were told by their prophet that there ARE people living on the sun. Now, when you rephrase it ever so slightly to make it sound as if I said that THEY believe that THEY can live on the sun, of course you are correct in saying that they don't believe that. But the fact remains that Joseph Smith told his followers that there are people living on the sun. I am sorry if you don't care for that fact.
No, I am not going to try to prove anything to you. You have made your own choices as far as what you believe. You rail against anyone who tries to tell you otherwise. Why would I try to prove anything to you? I already know that you do not like that, and I respect that. Isn't that what you want?
I have already in several threads went on in detail about how my faith has been proven to me; I won't go off-topic here and do that again. I am attempting to stay on topic and stick to the facts of THIS matter.
Finally, because I respond to your communications with me does not in any way mean that I am defending myself as if you were attacking me.
Neither one of us is in a power position here, Sheri. I am not clear on why you chose to use those terms, "defending," and "attacking." They certainly are a curious choice of words for two people who are just talking. I didn't feel that way in the slightest.

Does it not occur to anyone, that those who believe in a particular faith, or book-no matter if it is the bible, the book of morman, the torah, the qu'ran- that the believers in a book have as much faith in their religion as others?

here we have a christian, firmly stating as FACT that the book of mormon is a fairy tale. Yet, the myoptic eye turns blind when th same accusations are leveled against her own book of 'truth'.

Joseph Smith claimed an angel showed him the 'golden tablets'; it is claimed that Moses parted the red ( or reed) sea; Jesus is claimed to have raised the dead; Mohammed, it is said, was given the ability to record Gods "final" word......

Each beleiver can spot the flaws in anothers theology, but somehow......... they are adamant that their way is the only way.

It is really quite humorous from an outsiders POV

Well it looks like i might have to dumb things down abit. Personally i find Mormons just fine folk and ready to accept anyone into there flock or outside there flock for that matter. This is actually a pretty good account of how Mormonism came to be, is that a word Mormonism ? ehhh

Watch, laugh, and realize Mormon's created there Bible the same as all others so to speak.

http://throwawayyourtv.com/2006/06/story-o...h-smith_11.html



I wonder if I spell god will spell check CAPITALIZE it. ? Hmmm that was weird spell check capitalized Mormon hmm maybe if I try Christianity? Yup the name of a religion needs to be capitalized wierd.

Heck, I'm a Christian and I find it quite humorous from an INSIDERS point of view.

Indeed it is. Though I guess I can understand people thinking that way since people believe that there way is the absolute truth, and perhaps the only way to get to heaven. Still, it's pretty fricken funny.

This is why I have such a hard time even participating in these threads. It always leads to an attack, or perceived attack. I honestly feel the "non-religious" people are the worst too, because since they don't believe in anything, the burden of proof is on the other party. Easy targets. Promotes a sense of superiority. Between that and "believers" tossing beliefs around like they are facts, I go nuts.

Yes it is true that atheists, agnostics, Christians, Muslims, etc....everyone, namely, believes adamantly that they have found the way. That is a well-known fact. And it follows that everyone, or most anyway, will talk about why if and when talk comes to it. I'm not sure why it's amusing or funny, it makes sense to me that if you believe something, well I think it's obvious that you believe it to be true. That's the commonly accepted use of the word, "believe."
It is nice to see everyone talking together here, but I am unclear on how any of it negates the fact that the leader of THIS PARTICULAR religion has stated something as fact that is observably, tangibly untrue.
I agree, participating in these threads is tiresome at times. The responses are so predictable.

gumby the burden of proof is on the one making the claim , they aren't claiming anything LOL...so what would they need to prove???


Texas its all made up not just the other guys....


Thong I like the mormons too they are good folks, they are excepting of diversity across the board.....most mormons are serious about being a mormon Miss wells... I'm sure ther are extrememoromons but so far I haven't met em I think they are kool... they are honest and you can sit and discuss the bible dogma as freely as is your style and no one gets upset or feels persecuted , I have not been able to do with in the other faiths..eventually there is an issue.....It could very well be just a minor adjsutment in core beleifs too...

texas there are far more serious beleifs to worry about then whether smith belived they were from the sun, heck i think i'm nourished by the sun and so are the plants and whatnot...its relatively harmless. contruct..Texas you can beleif in things know its a beleif use a beleif as a tool in full awareness and let them go as easily..tehr are many ways to approach the use of beliefs.i don't call anything I beleif the truth it serves me or it doesn't ...

Sheri thats not a nice way to refer to friends

dear as in very cherished , A beloved person; a term of endearment (dictionary) does it mean soemthing else where you are from LOL...

I was referring to the moron typo

I think the fact that so many people state their religious convictions as fact (miracles, assorted dogma) and you disregarded another religions belief is what set people off. The feeling is I think that beings living on the sun is no more unbelievable than burning bushes or a man with a direct connection to God. What makes your miracle any more valid than their miracle? Just being "devils advocate" here!

LOL I saw that too, but wasn't quite sure if it WAS a typo

oh LOL My typing sucks irish ... ha ha ha ha ha owes irish a brewski....

Joey, i have the worst spelling here hands down....LOL .

The difference is that we have seen the sun; there are no people living on it.
We (you and I, the people living today) were not there to witness the bush burning or not burning.
I choose, for many reasons, to believe that it happened.
If we travelled back in time and I could stand there at that moment and observe that the bush did in fact not burn; I would be PROVEN wrong.
Like it has been PROVEN wrong that people live on the sun.
I don't mind your being devil's advocate at all! It is certainly most appropriate in discussions like this. I appreciate that you are being most polite, as I am trying to be. Sometimes in disagreements (which are not in and of themselves bad things) people become emotionally involved and stop listening at a certain point, overlooking points in the other side of the conversation. I tend to say things bluntly, but no tone is intended. You have to know me. I state things in a neutral manner (which a lot of people don't like about me), it really takes A LOT to make me become emotional over mere words. I oftentimes have to say the same point several times before someone I am speaking with stops emoting and taking offense because they didn't like the tone they think I am using; and listens to what I am actually saying. I apologize to anyone who may feel that I am presumptuous, arrogant, or whatever you might not like about me. It is just a condition of your not knowing me very well and vice versa, we are all still getting to know each other and I am new. I am puzzled as to why some discussions turn into arguments, if everyone has the right to state their beliefs Sometimes I suspect that New-Age beliefs are really what are intended to have that right more than others. But that's probably been true of all religions at one time or another. However, I realize that I also have been the one (many times) to take offense where none was intended. It's a human thing and we all do it. It all comes out in the wash and I'm not mad at anyone.
I will not apologize to anyone for what I believe. Nor do I expect anyone to apologize to me for what they believe. You have the right to believe that I am wrong. I have the right to believe that you are wrong. It's that simple. My beliefs (and some people would say therefore I) have been called kooky, stupid, blind and myopic (most recently by JMPD ^ above)but that is peoples' right. If you want to be able to call those with different beliefs stereotyping names, surely you are not offended when I point out a fact (albeit one that will not be fun or gratifying or "feel good" to point out). We must decide if we all want to be able to speak freely; then we must agree to be adults and not be thin-skinned. Now I was simply trying to point out that the difference between Bible stories that some choose not to believe in, and the sun example is this: We, you and I, existing at this point in time, happen to have access to the fact that no one's living on the sun. You and I may say the things that happened in Bible stories seem odd, they either didn't happen or happened supernaturally. But there is an unknown factor, because 1)we were not there, and 2)since these things only could have happened supernaturally, that means they could have happened supernaturally. And if you do not believe in any possibility of supernatural occurences, why do you come to UM? It is my belief that God worked supernaturally, directly interacting with mankind in older times, and does not now. Some people believe UFOs interacted with people in older times more than they do now. We're all entitled to it, correct? Why would one belief be stranger than the other? They're both equally odd to modern people. But one belief is instinctively rebutted by almost all and the other is accepted as possibility with wide-eyed wonder by many.

edit; Doh! stupid grammar

Yes I saw the "moron" thing when I read it. I did chuckle. It would have been quite ungracious for me to point it out. However, if I were on more familiar terms with Sheri, (which would be great to be,despite differences) I would have ribbed her good-naturedly about it. It was funny.

Yes I agree, that's just the example that came up first.
If you let go of beliefs when they are not convenient for you, it's because you never really believed in the first place. I don't discard nor pick up again my beliefs when it "works for me" situationally or to get along in a crowd. Now you have to know me to know, I am respectful of everyone. I just respectfully disagree. If you could see the people I hang out with.... I truly mingle with diversity (bikers, whites, blacks, Mexican, religious or not and every variation). And everyone has fun. I have my friends' backs at all times and you better believe they have mine. I can walk through the bad neighborhoods with no issues at all, because I know everyone there. And *gasps* they're not all Christians. They know they're not going to change me and I know the same about them. And when we're in the mood, we respectfully disagree with each other for a couple hours. Then we drink a beer or a 12-pack and it's all good. We don't fudge our beliefs into this mantra of....."All paths lead to the same thing." My friends have the *$#@spanish word for family jewels&^$%* to talk to me about their specific beliefs, and I also with them. We don't have any issues with it. And we love each other and would defend each other in any situation.

<end going off-topic. I mean it this time. sorry.>

I still say that beings could live on the sun as easily as Moses could part a sea. Perhaps these miraculous beings living on the sun are not visible to us. After all, it would be a miracle by our standards. Or maybe they are incorporeal, or very tiny. The sun is huge! I don't think we have the technology to see people sized things on the surface of the sun anyway.

you are on good terms with me as far as i'm concerned, it would of been hilarious coming form you, and further more its a classic blonde moment too andI'm a blonde I didn't get it when Irish highlighted it....ha ha ha ha ha.... i laugh the hardest at my self...and i think its great you have diverse relationships, the internet leaves out the human element no voice, no body language, no faces, to look at so its easy to misinterpert....(((hugs)))

Gosh it makes me think of Ali G (borat)he does this skit where he asks Buzz Aldren(sp)"so when do you think we will walk on the sun.." Do you know of this skit its very funny... it is adult content in a few parts.....(buzz aldrin skit) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJl8Mi64aL8&NR

Or Smash Mouth. Might as well be walkin' on the sun!

Some relevant, informative sites:

http://www.irr.org/MIT/jsfalpro.html

http://www.irr.org/MIT/WDIST/wdist-false-prophecies.html

http://www.signaturebookslibrary.org/dalem...leappendixb.htm

http://www.irr.org/mit/bomarch1.html

http://www.salamandersociety.com/interviews/raunihigley/

http://www.nowscape.com/mormon/mormcr1.htm

Not that I agree with anyone targeting anyone else, but having fundie christians telling you that you are going to burn in hell for all eternity unless you convert to the only correct way of living is pretty harsh as well. Many christians swear that everything in the bible is proof and that a lot of science is just made up without and real claims-so really it can go both way.
I really think I feel a superiority vibe from each (militant atheists and fundy christians). And non believers do have beliefs-usually science. Beliefs are beliefs and I am sure both "non" believers and believers both hold their own truths equally close.


Also, I pity anyone who lives on the sun. Bright and hot. Yuck!

hee hee... You're silly, and I'm definitely calling you out on your blondeness next time!

I agree with you. But I still say there is a difference between belief in religion and belief in science. For those that use religion (I usually think in terms of Christians) as a guide for how they live their lives, I don't see a problem usually. Saying "What would Jesus do?" and acting on that thought is generally a positive thing. I don't think science has that same effect.

Of course science and religion can both be used negatively and have been in the past, and will be in the future.

Christians have used religion to wage war and commit genocide.
Nazis used science for the same purpose.

I just think religion can be used altruistically while science is logic.

I mean, lets put it in the simplest terms, from reading the Bible or the Torah, Book of Mormon, NT, or even the works of Buddha, the basic message is the same... be good, be Godly, be moral... Mormonism and other religions pretty much embodies that theology (and let's face it, it's not a bad theology.. in many folks opinion the details are screwy, but the basic message is there)....

The problem seems to arise from the details of how to achieve that... I'm not sure God is so interested in the details (what leader would be, the goal is to get the good done, no matter how that's achieved). I'm a Christian, I do believe in the Trinity, but far be it from me to tell a Buddhist or a Jew that they should too... that would be egotistical of me, and not terribly Godly or Christ-like for that matter. Now I know non-religious people and religious zealots get a chill from hearing that, and I apologize, but I am not necessarily certain that those who believe in no God figure are doomed either. I think God's love and word is heard in all cultures and people alike, whether they want to believe or not. It's not a popular view from a Christian, but it's my view and most of my order's view. No violence, no prejudice, take care of your brother, and only walk in the light, regardless of where your light may come from.

And this is going to be unpopular for sure, but in my opinion, the Devil is in the details.

Peace Friends,

I enjoyed looking over everyone's thoughts on this. I have my own opinions on the LDS church. My family history is filled with Mormon's, but I have to go back to my grandparents to find actual members. I have some serious doubts about Joseph Smith mental stability.

I'll be blunt, I don't buy into the LDS religion. Wait, I don't buy into any organized religion! When it comes to organized religion, I think each founder has had agendas of their own. Like one founder of another religion said: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion." Doesn't that say it all?

DRIPPING WITH SARCASM WARNING!!!

Also what crazed person actually thinks that having numerous wives is a good idea?!!! How many of you guys would be able to handle having more than one wife? Remember women who live together tend to fall in sync with one another. How'd you like having 3 or 4 women PMS-ing at the same time?

I'd sooner shave my head with a cheese grater.............

thanks everybody a thoroughly good read...makes me think tho....with all of these 'established' and 'institutionalised' religions.....what is the purpose of worship? why do we worship God? Is it enough to just live a good life?
gonna start a new thread to this effect......

the answers often seem to lead to the next question.....